U.S. patent application number 11/959814 was filed with the patent office on 2008-06-26 for method and device for sterilizing preforms.
This patent application is currently assigned to SIDEL PARTICIPATIONS. Invention is credited to Stephane Hebert, Francois Quetel.
Application Number | 20080152538 11/959814 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38327039 |
Filed Date | 2008-06-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080152538 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Quetel; Francois ; et
al. |
June 26, 2008 |
METHOD AND DEVICE FOR STERILIZING PREFORMS
Abstract
The method includes at least the following steps: spraying a
flow of sterilizing vapour, including a vaporized sterilizing
product, towards the preforms to be sterilized, so as to cover at
least an inner wall (15) of the preforms to be sterilized with the
product, and heating, by radiation, the preforms covered with
sterilizing product in order to bring them to a temperature (T2) at
or above an activation temperature (Ta) for the product. The
spraying of the flow of sterilizing vapour is carried out in a
protective chamber (40), heating is carried out outside the
protective chamber (40), and the flow of sterilizing vapour is in
the form of a jet of vapour (F) vaporized onto the preforms (12),
in such a way as to bring about the deposition, by condensation, of
a substantially uniform film of condensate (48) of sterilizing
product on at least the inner wall (15) of the preforms to be
sterilized.
Inventors: |
Quetel; Francois; (Octeville
Sur Mer, FR) ; Hebert; Stephane; (Octeville Sur Mer,
FR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SUGHRUE MION, PLLC
2100 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, N.W., SUITE 800
WASHINGTON
DC
20037
US
|
Assignee: |
SIDEL PARTICIPATIONS
|
Family ID: |
38327039 |
Appl. No.: |
11/959814 |
Filed: |
December 19, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
422/28 ;
422/291 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B29B 2911/14133
20130101; B29C 49/42 20130101; B67C 2003/227 20130101; B29B
2911/14106 20130101; A61L 2/04 20130101; B29B 2911/1402 20130101;
B29B 2911/14026 20130101; B29B 2911/1404 20130101; A61L 2/208
20130101; B29B 2911/14033 20130101; B29C 2035/0822 20130101; B65B
55/10 20130101; B29C 49/06 20130101; B65B 55/027 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
422/28 ;
422/291 |
International
Class: |
A61L 2/18 20060101
A61L002/18 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 20, 2006 |
FR |
06 11145 |
Claims
1. A method for sterilizing a line of preforms (12) made of
plastics material that are intended to be moulded, especially by
blow moulding, including at least the following steps: spraying a
flow of sterilizing vapour, including a vaporized sterilizing
product, towards the preforms to be sterilized, so as to cover at
least an inner wall (15) of the preforms to be sterilized with the
product, and heating, by radiation, the preforms covered with
sterilizing product to bring them to a temperature (T2) at or above
an activation temperature (Ta) for the product, in which method:
the spraying of the flow of sterilizing vapour is carried out in a
protective chamber (40), heating is carried out outside the
protective chamber (40), and the flow of sterilizing vapour is in
the form of a jet of vapour (F) vaporized onto the preforms (12),
in such a way as to bring about the deposition, by condensation, of
a substantially uniform film of condensate (48) of sterilizing
product on at least the inner wall (15) of the preforms to be
sterilized, the method being characterized in that it includes a
step of extraction of the atmosphere from the protective chamber
(40), in order substantially to avoid any emergence of the
vaporized sterilizing product through entry/exit openings (40A,
40B) for the preforms, provided in the protective chamber.
2. A sterilizing method according to claim 1, characterized in that
the jet of vapour (F) extends in a curtain, and in that the
preforms (12) file through in this curtain.
3. A sterilizing method according to claim 1, characterized in that
extraction is carried out at an extraction rate low enough for the
flow of sterilizing product not to be noticeably deflected.
4. A sterilizing method according to claim 3, characterized in that
the protective chamber (40) is pierced only by entry/exit openings
(40A, 40B) for the preform (12) and by an extraction opening
(40C).
5. A sterilizing method according to claim 4, characterized in that
the rate of extraction through the extraction opening (40C) is
regulated to be equal to the sum, on the one hand, of an escape
flow rate penetrating through the entry/exit openings (40A, 40B)
and, on the other hand, of the flow rate of the flow of sterilizing
vapour less 15% to 25% of the flow rate of sterilizing product
sprayed in the flow of sterilizing vapour.
6. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the
temperature (T2) to which the preforms (12) are brought is
substantially equal to a moulding temperature (Tm) for blow
moulding of the preforms (12) which is respectively above the
activation temperature (Ta) and an evaporation temperature (Te) of
the sterilizing product.
7. A device for sterilizing a line of preforms (12) made of
plastics material that are intended to be moulded, especially by
blow moulding, comprising: a spraying station (34) including at
least one nozzle (43) for spraying a flow of sterilizing vapour,
including a vaporized sterilizing product, towards the preforms
(12) to be sterilized, in such a way as to cover at least an inner
wall (15) of the preforms to be sterilized with the product, a heat
conditioning station (38) including a radiation oven (42) intended
to bring the preforms to a temperature (T2) at or above an
activation temperature (Ta) for the sterilizing product, in such a
way as to sterilize at least the inner wall (15) of the preforms,
transport means (25) for transporting the preforms to the spraying
station, then to the heat conditioning station, in which device:
the spraying station (34) further includes a protective chamber
(40) in which each nozzle (43) is located, the heat conditioning
station (38) is located outside the protective chamber (40), and at
the spraying station (34), the flow of sterilizing vapour is
vaporized in the form of a jet of vapour (F) vaporized onto the
preforms (12) in such a way as to bring about the deposition, by
condensation, of a substantially uniform film of condensate (48) of
sterilizing product on at least the inner wall (15) of the preforms
to be sterilized, the device being characterized in that the
spraying station (34) includes extraction means (50) for extracting
the atmosphere from the protective chamber (40), in order
substantially to avoid any emergence of the vaporized sterilizing
product through entry/exit openings (40A, 40B) for the preforms,
provided in the protective chamber.
8. A sterilizing device according to claim 7, characterized in that
the extraction means (50) are regulated in such a way that the
extraction rate is low enough for the flow of sterilizing product
not to be noticeably deflected.
9. A sterilizing device according to claim 7, characterized in that
each nozzle (43) has a mean spraying axis (A2) for spraying the
sterilizing vapour towards a neck (16) of the preform, the mean
spraying axis (A2) being on the one hand generally parallel to the
axis (A1) of the transported preforms (12), and on the other hand
radially eccentric relative to the axis (A1) of the preforms
(12).
10. A sterilizing device according to claim 7, characterized in
that the transport means (25) include at least one means (54), such
as an inner core, which penetrates axially inside the neck (16) of
each preform (12), obstructing all or part of the inner opening
(22) defined by the neck (16), so as to increase the degree of
sterilization by increasing the length of time for which the inner
wall (15) of the preform (12) is exposed to the sterilizing
product.
Description
[0001] The invention concerns a method and a device for sterilizing
preforms.
[0002] The invention concerns more particularly a method for
sterilizing a preform of plastics material intended to be moulded,
especially by blow moulding.
[0003] The document WO 99/03667 A1 describes a plant for producing
sterile bottles starting from preforms of plastics material, of the
type in which the preforms are conveyed inside the plant in a
continuous stream which circulates from upstream to downstream. The
plant carries out the method which consists in: [0004] moistening
the preform upstream of the heating means, [0005] transferring the
preform to the heating means, [0006] heating the moistened preform
by radiation to sterilize it.
[0007] This type of plant has the drawback of requiring a high flow
rate of sterilizing product and/or injection pressure for the
sterilizing product in order to succeed in entirely covering the
inner walls of the preforms so as to completely sterilize the
inside of the preforms.
[0008] As a consequence, the sterilizing product consumption of the
plant is high and the sterilizing operation is expensive.
[0009] In addition, the use of a high flow rate of sterilizing
product may lead to the deposition of (residual) droplets of
sterilizing product of large size on the inner walls of the
preforms. During the heating of the preforms, these droplets
produce a magnifying glass effect on the thermal radiation of the
heating, leading to the appearance of spots on the walls of the
bottles produced from the preforms in question.
[0010] In fact, in the plants of the prior art, the sterilizing
product is sprayed in the form of a heavy condensate and at a
pressure obtained by compressing, at pressures of around 2 to 3
bar, a gas, such as compressed air, which is sterilized and heated,
for example at a temperature of the order of 130.degree. C., so as
to activate the sterilizing product thermally.
[0011] It is for this reason that the droplets of sterilizing
product form an excess which is not completely vaporized during
heating, such that each droplet produces a magnifying glass effect
on the material of the preform, generally made of polyethylene
terephthalate (PET), by the sterilizing product.
[0012] This phenomenon leads to the appearance of spots on the
walls of the bottles, this defect in the appearance still sometimes
being termed "orange peel" effect.
[0013] Moreover, the walls of the preforms are not uniformly
covered by the droplets of sterilizing product, such that
unsterilized areas remain between each of the droplets, on the
surface of the inner and/or outer walls of the preform.
[0014] In addition, depending on the profile of the inner wall of
each preform, it is not always possible to be certain of reaching
to the bottom of the preforms, even with a high level of flow rate
and/or pressure, by reason of the creation of a plug of
over-pressure at the bottom of the preforms.
[0015] It is therefore an aim of the present invention to remedy
these drawbacks and to propose, in particular, a sterilizing method
and device which does not lead to the appearance of droplets, while
reducing the consumption of sterilizing product.
[0016] To this end, the invention proposes a method for sterilizing
a line of preforms made of plastics material that are intended to
be moulded, especially by blow moulding, including at least the
following steps:
[0017] spraying a flow of sterilizing vapour, including a vaporized
sterilizing product, towards the preforms to be sterilized, so as
to cover at least an inner wall of the preforms to be sterilized
with the product, and
[0018] heating, by radiation, the preforms covered with sterilizing
product in order to bring them to a temperature at or above an
activation temperature for the product,
[0019] the method being characterized in that
[0020] the spraying of the flow of sterilizing vapour is carried
out in a protective chamber,
[0021] heating is carried out outside the protective chamber,
and
[0022] the flow of sterilizing vapour is in the form of a jet of
vapour vaporized onto the preforms, in such a way as to bring about
the deposition, by condensation, of a substantially uniform film of
sterilizing product condensate on at least the inner wall of the
preforms to be sterilized.
[0023] According to other features of the method:
[0024] the jet of vapour extends in a curtain, and the preforms
file through this curtain;
[0025] the method includes a step of extraction of the atmosphere
from the protective chamber;
[0026] extraction is carried out at an extraction rate low enough
for the flow of sterilizing product not to be noticeably
deflected;
[0027] the protective chamber is pierced only by entry/exit
openings for the preform and by an extraction opening;
[0028] the rate of extraction through the extraction opening is
regulated to be equal to the sum, on the one hand, of an escape
flow rate penetrating through the entry/exit openings and, on the
other hand, of the flow rate of the flow of sterilizing vapour less
15% to 20% of the flow rate of sterilizing product sprayed in the
flow of sterilizing vapour; and
[0029] the temperature to which the preforms are brought is
substantially equal to a temperature for moulding the preforms by
blow moulding and which is respectively above the activation
temperature and an evaporation temperature of the sterilizing
product.
[0030] The invention also has as its subject a device for
sterilizing a line of preforms made of plastics material that are
intended to be moulded, especially by blow moulding,
comprising:
[0031] a spraying station including at least one nozzle for
spraying a flow of sterilizing vapour, including a vaporized
sterilizing product, towards the preforms to be sterilized, in such
a way as to cover at least an inner wall of the preforms to be
sterilized with the product,
[0032] a heat conditioning station including a radiation oven
intended to bring the preforms to a temperature at or above an
activation temperature for the sterilizing product, in such a way
as to sterilize at least the inner wall of the preforms,
[0033] means for transporting the preforms to the spraying station,
then to the heat conditioning station,
[0034] characterized in that:
[0035] the spraying station further includes a protective chamber
in which each nozzle is located,
[0036] the heat conditioning station is located outside the
protective chamber, and
[0037] at the spraying station, the flow of sterilizing vapour is
vaporized in the form of a jet of vapour vaporized onto the
preforms in such a way as to bring about the deposition, by
condensation, of a substantially uniform film of sterilizing
product condensate on at least the inner wall of the preforms to be
sterilized.
[0038] According to other features of the device:
[0039] the spraying station includes extraction means for
extracting the atmosphere from the protective chamber;
[0040] the extraction means are regulated in such a way that the
extraction rate is low enough for the flow of sterilizing product
not to be noticeably deflected;
[0041] each nozzle has a mean axis of spraying of the sterilizing
vapour towards the neck, the mean axis of spraying being on the one
hand generally parallel to the axis of the transported preforms,
and on the other hand radially eccentric relative to the axis of
the preforms; and
[0042] the transport means include at least one means, such as an
inner core, which penetrates axially inside the neck of each
preform, obstructing all or part of the inner opening defined by
the neck, so as to increase the degree of sterilization by
increasing the length of time for which the inner wall of the
preform is exposed to the sterilizing product.
[0043] Other features and advantages of the invention will become
clear from the following detailed description, for understanding of
which, reference will be made to the appended drawings, in
which:
[0044] FIG. 1 is a diagram which represents an exemplary embodiment
of a plant producing sterile bottles by blow moulding and including
a sterilizing unit implementing the sterilizing method according to
the invention;
[0045] FIG. 2 is a view in axial section along the section plane
II-II in FIG. 3, which shows diagrammatically a preform in the
sterilizing unit of the plant of FIG. 1;
[0046] FIG. 3 is a view from above which shows a series of preforms
at the spraying station of the sterilizing unit.
[0047] In the continuation of the description, similar or identical
elements will be designated by the same references.
[0048] FIG. 1 shows a plant 10 producing containers such as bottles
14, in particular sterile or asepticized bottles, which are
advantageously obtained by blow moulding, starting from preforms 12
made of plastics material, for example of polyethylene
terephthalate (PET).
[0049] Each preform 12 is in the general shape of a tube of
U-shaped longitudinal section which is closed at one end and the
other end of which already has the final shape of the neck 16 of
the bottle 14.
[0050] In FIG. 2, a preform 12 is shown, by way of non-limiting
example, with the axis A1 of its cylindrical body 18 which extends
vertically and which coincides with the axis of the neck 16.
[0051] The lower end 20 of the preform 12 is closed, in the general
shape of a hemisphere, while its upper end forms the neck 16, which
defines an inner opening 22 and which is in this case provided with
an outer radial collar 24.
[0052] The preforms 12 are generally produced according to an
injection-moulding process and moulded at a site other than that at
which the plant 10 is located.
[0053] For certain applications, the bottles 14 obtained from the
preforms 12 must exhibit a certain degree of sterility. For this
reason an operation of sterilization of the preforms 12 is carried
out in the plant 10 for the production of the bottles 14.
[0054] More precisely, the sterilization operation concerns as a
priority the neck 16 and the inner wall 15 of the preform 12
corresponding to the inner wall which defines the internal volume
of the bottle 14 intended to be filled.
[0055] With reference to FIG. 1, the plant 10 comprises means for
transporting the preforms, in the form of a conveyor rail 25. Thus,
the preforms 12 are conveyed within the plant 10 in a continuous
stream which circulates from upstream to downstream, i.e. from the
left to the right in FIG. 1.
[0056] The plant 10 includes, from upstream to downstream, on the
one hand a sterilizing unit 26 for sterilizing the preforms 12 and,
on the other hand, a forming unit 28 for the sterilized preforms 12
to form the bottles 14.
[0057] Advantageously, the plant 10 also includes, following the
forming unit 28, a filling unit 30 and a stoppering unit 32. These
two latter units are well known and will not be described in more
detail.
[0058] The sterilizing unit 26 includes a spraying station 34 for
spraying sterilizing vapour, fed with sterilizing vapour by
sterilizing vapour preparation means 36. The sterilizing unit 26
also includes a heating station 38.
[0059] The sterilizing vapour preparation means 36 include heating
means 36A for heating a sterilizing product in order to vaporise
it, and a source of air 36B, advantageously compressed and/or
sterilized by any suitable means, which is arranged for spraying
the vaporized sterilizing product through the nozzles described
hereinafter. The mixture of vaporized sterilizing product and air
forms the flow of sterilizing vapour.
[0060] Preferably, the compressed air is dehydrated and circulates
at a low speed in a directional flow so as to constitute a vector
for the vaporized sterilizing product.
[0061] Preferably, the sterilizing product consists of a compound
containing hydrogen peroxide or of vaporized hydrogen peroxide
(H.sub.2O.sub.2) which, at the spraying station 34, is sprayed
towards the preforms 12 in the form of a jet of gas including
sterilizing product in the vapour state, advantageously a jet of
dry vapour.
[0062] For example, the sterilizing product is a mixture of 25% of
H.sub.2O.sub.2 in 75% of water.
[0063] The sterilizing vapour thus consists on the one hand of the
vaporized sterilizing product, and on the other hand of hot
air.
[0064] Preferably, the proportion P (by volume) of vaporized
sterilizing product in relation to the hot air is between 10% and
15%. The proportion of hot air is therefore 100%-P.
[0065] The spraying station 34 further comprises a protective
chamber 40 for protection against the diffusion of vapours.
[0066] The protection is intended first of all for the machine
operators, since the sterilizing product vapours are generally
harmful to health. The protection is also intended for the other
elements of the plant 10, especially the heating station 38, which
could be degraded by the corrosive effect of the sterilizing
product.
[0067] The protective chamber 40 is hermetically sealed, except for
openings for the entry 40A and exit 40B of the preforms 12, and an
upper extraction opening 40C for the vapours. The entry/exit
openings 40A, 40B for the preforms are preferably configured just
to allow free passage to the preforms 12. Removable shields (not
shown) are provided to close off portions of the openings 40A, 40B
when the preforms are of small size.
[0068] The spraying station 34 of the sterilizing unit 26 is
provided with at least one nozzle 43 located in the protective
chamber 40. Each nozzle 43, during treatment, sprays a flow F of
sterilizing vapour in the form of a jet of vapour, in this case
towards the neck 16 of the preforms 12 to be sterilized, in such a
way as to bring about the deposition, by condensation, of a
substantially uniform film of condensate of sterilizing product, on
at least the inner wall 15 of the preform, preferably on the inner
wall 15 and the outside of the neck 16. In order so to do, the
device delivers a flow of vapour which sweeps the outer wall of the
neck.
[0069] According to the embodiment shown here, especially in FIG.
3, the preforms 12 file into the spraying station 34 of the
sterilizing unit 26 while being aligned, in a vertical position, in
a longitudinal horizontal direction, termed running direction X1,
with the neck 16 upwards.
[0070] The running direction X1 passes through the axes A1 of the
preforms 12 being treated.
[0071] Advantageously, the mean spraying axis A2 of the nozzles 43
is generally parallel to the axis A1 of each preform 12 being
treated, and the axis A2 is radially eccentric, relative to the
axis A1 of the preform 12, by a specific offset value E.
[0072] Preferably, the mean spraying axis A2, which in this case is
vertical, is eccentric along an inner radius R1 of the neck 16
which is perpendicular to the running direction X1.
[0073] Thus, the shape of each nozzle 43 makes it possible to spray
downwards a flow F of sterilizing vapour generally in the form of a
laminar flow, i.e. in the shape of a longitudinal vertical curtain.
To this end, each nozzle 43 includes for example a slot or a
generally circular hole for spraying the flow F.
[0074] The laminar flow F in this case extends generally in a
curtain contained in a longitudinal vertical plane, termed spraying
plane X2, which is radially offset, relative to the running
direction X1, by a distance equal to the offset E.
[0075] Preferably, the offset value E ranges between a minimum
value Emin substantially equal to 19% of the inside diameter D1 of
the neck 16 of each preform 12, and a maximum value Emax
substantially equal to 32% of the inside diameter D1.
[0076] According to an advantageous embodiment, the offset value E
is selected to be fixed and substantially equal to 8 millimetres,
such that it is suitable for models of preforms 12 having inside
diameters D1 of between around 25 and 42 millimetres.
[0077] Owing to such an arrangement of the nozzles 43, the flow F
of sterilizing vapour is substantially flush with a first sector 44
of the inner wall 15 of each preform 12, such that the flow F of
sterilizing vapour sweeps said sector 44.
[0078] On arriving at the lower end 20 of the preform 12, the flow
F of sterilizing vapour glides along the substantially
hemispherical bottom of the preform 12 and rises along a second
sector 46 of inner wall 15, diametrically opposed to the first
44.
[0079] Thus, the flow F of sterilizing vapour sweeps, overall, the
whole of the inner wall 15 of each preform 12, by means of a
laminar type of flow.
[0080] Such an arrangement makes it possible in particular to
prevent the creation of a plug of over-pressure, in the bottom of
the preforms 12, which would prevent the sterilizing product from
reaching the bottom.
[0081] The nozzles 43 follow the trajectory of the preforms and
diffuse vapour for a given time which corresponds to the deposition
time.
[0082] The gaseous state of the flow F allows uniform diffusion
over the whole surface area.
[0083] In particular, the spraying speed of the sterilizing vapour,
at the outlet of the nozzle 43, is sufficiently low to permit the
substantially laminar type of flow.
[0084] The preforms 12 passing through the plant 10, especially the
sterilizing unit 26, are here oriented vertically with the neck 16
upwards, i.e. in the position termed "neck-up".
[0085] Thus, at the spraying station 34, the flow F of sterilizing
vapour is vaporized onto each preform 12. The temperature T1 of the
preforms is below the condensation temperature Tc of the
sterilizing product, so that a film of condensate 48 of sterilizing
product contained in the flow of sterilizing vapour is uniformly
deposited, by condensation, at least on the inner wall 15, and
preferably also on the outside of the neck 16 of the preform 12 to
be sterilized.
[0086] At the outlet of the nozzle 43, the vapour containing the
vaporized sterilizing product is at a given temperature
substantially higher than the evaporation temperature Te of the
sterilizing product, such that the sterilizing product condenses
instantaneously on the preform 12.
[0087] In the case where a mixture of water and hydrogen peroxide
(H.sub.2O.sub.2) is used, the exit temperature at the nozzle is
advantageously above 106.degree. C., preferably between 110.degree.
C. and 120.degree. C.
[0088] When this vapour comes into contact with each preform 12,
which is colder, the vaporized sterilizing product condenses so
that the whole of the preform 12, in particular on the inner wall
15, is coated with a film of sterilizing product condensate 48.
[0089] The nozzle 43 is in this case produced in such a way that
the substantially uniform film of condensate 48 is deposited mainly
on the neck 16 and on the whole of the surface of the inner wall
15.
[0090] Advantageously, the deposition by condensation in the form
of the uniform film of condensate 48 of sterile product makes it
possible, compared with the prior art, substantially to eliminate
any risk of occurrence of spots and "orange peel" appearance.
[0091] The spraying station 34 includes means 50 for forced
extraction of the atmosphere from the chamber 40, through the
extraction opening 40C. The aim of the means 50 is to recover the
excess vaporized sterilizing product, i.e., that which is not
deposited on the preforms, and also the hot air transporting the
sterilizing product. The extraction means 50 thus make it possible
substantially to avoid any emergence of vaporized sterilizing
product through the entry/exit openings 40A, 40B for the
preforms.
[0092] In order not to disturb the operation of the sterilizing
unit, the extraction means 50 are regulated in such a way that the
extraction rate is low enough for the flow of sterilizing vapour
not to be noticeably deflected.
[0093] The inventors observed that only 15% to 25% of the flow rate
of vaporized sterilizing product contained in the flow of
sterilizing vapour sprayed by the nozzles 43 was deposited on the
preforms 12 to form the film of condensate 48. Thus, satisfactory
regulation of the rate of extraction through the extraction opening
40C is obtained by regulating the rate to be equal to the sum:
[0094] of an escape flow rate penetrating through the entry/exit
openings 40A, 40B,
[0095] of 75% to 85% of the spraying flow rate of the vaporized
sterilizing product,
[0096] of the hot air flow rate (100%-P).
[0097] In other words, the extraction rate is regulated to be equal
to the sum of, on the one hand, the escape flow rate penetrating
through the entry/exit openings 40A, 40B and, on the other hand,
the flow rate of the flow of sterilizing vapour less 15% to 25% of
the flow rate of sterilizing product sprayed in the flow of
sterilizing vapour.
[0098] In practice, this satisfactory regulation is obtained
empirically, by observation of test preforms emerging from the
spraying station 34, to check that an adequate film of condensate
48 is in fact present and that there is no appearance of condensate
on the inner walls of the enclosures 40.
[0099] The heating station 38 is located outside the protective
chamber 40, downstream of this latter. The conveying means 25,
before the entry into the heating station 38, proceed to invert the
preforms 12, which then file through "neck-down". In fact, because
of physical phenomena and effects due to ventilation, the flow of
heat in the ovens is directed from bottom to top. The neck is the
part definitively moulded in the blow moulding process and should
not undergo either deformation or overheating. The primary risk
linked to overheating is the bursting of the neck during the
moulding of the bottle. The neck in the low position (preforms
"neck-down") is therefore positioned so as to avoid overheating and
is also protected by cooled ramps (not shown) from the infra-red
radiation.
[0100] The heating station 38 includes at least one oven 42
intended to heat, by radiation, the preforms 12 provided with the
film of condensate 48, to bring them to a temperature T at or above
a temperature Ta for activation of the sterilizing product, such as
to sterilize at least the inner wall 15 of the preforms 12, and
preferably also the neck 16. In order not to overload FIG. 1, the
oven 42 is arranged above the preforms 12, opposite their base 20,
whereas in reality the heating means constituting the oven are
arranged on each side of the transport path of the preforms in the
oven.
[0101] The heating station 38, in addition to the function of
activation of the film of sterilizing product, has the function of
preparing the preforms 12 for moulding.
[0102] Thus, the preforms 12 are in fact heated to a moulding
temperature Tm which, depending on the type of preform, varies
between 95.degree. C. and 135.degree. C. This temperature Tm is in
this case above the activation temperature Ta of the sterilizing
product and the evaporation temperature Te, permitting the
elimination of the sterilizing product by evaporation, without
requiring supplementary means.
[0103] In fact, the activation temperature Ta of hydrogen peroxide
(H.sub.2O.sub.2) is around 70.degree. C., i.e. in this case a
temperature below the moulding temperature Tm.
[0104] In general, the oven 42 is configured to bring the preforms
12, provided with the film of sterilizing product, to the highest
of the three temperatures Tm, Ta and Te.
[0105] The oven 42 is preferably equipped with aeration apertures
(not shown) to permit the passage of blown air, in order to
facilitate homogeneous heating throughout the thickness of the
preform 12 without overheating the surface layer of material.
[0106] In fact, the blown air makes it possible to evacuate the
convection heat produced by the heating means in order to
facilitate the penetration of the radiation which they produce into
the thickness of the material forming the preform 12.
[0107] For more details concerning such preform heating ovens 42,
reference will be made for example to the following documents:
EP-A-0 620 099 or EP-A-0 564 354.
[0108] Preferably, the oven 42 includes protection means,
especially for limiting the corrosion of the portions or parts
exposed to the sterile product which evaporates from the preforms
12.
[0109] The transport means 25 advantageously include means 52 for
setting the preforms 12 in rotation on themselves during their
circulation in the oven 42 so as to ensure thorough heating of the
preform 12, i.e. both of the lower end 20 forming the bottom, and
of the cylindrical body 18. The document WO-A-00/48819, to which
reference will be made for more details, describes an example of
such means.
[0110] The transport means 25 further include, at the heating
station 38, at least one means, such as an inner core 54, also
known as a spinner pivot, which penetrates axially inside the neck
16 of each preform 12, obstructing all or part of the inner opening
22 defined by the neck 16 so as to increase the degree of
sterilization by increasing the length of time for which the inner
wall 15 of the preform 12 is exposed to the sterilizing
product.
[0111] As will have been understood, at the outlet of the oven 42
preforms 12 are obtained which are mainly sterile inside and should
advantageously remain sterile until the final stoppering
operation.
[0112] The forming unit 28, in addition to the heating station 38,
comprises a moulding station 55. The moulding station 55 includes a
blow moulding device 56 which subjects each preform 12 to an
internal over-pressure such that it assumes the shape of the
impression of a mould 58, thereby producing a sterile bottle
14.
[0113] The moulding station 34 may also include elongation means
(not shown) which stretch the preform 12 towards the bottom of the
mould 58 during the moulding operation.
[0114] A description will now be given of the operation of the
sterilizing unit 26.
[0115] In order to sterilize especially the inner wall 15 of the
preform 12, the following steps are performed consecutively:
[0116] checking that the preform 12 is at a temperature T1 below
the condensation temperature Tc of the sterilizing product;
[0117] bringing the preform into the chamber 40,
[0118] spraying a flow F of sterilizing vapour, containing a
vaporized sterilizing product, in the form of a jet of vapour,
towards the neck 16 of the preform 12 in such a way as to bring
about the deposition, by condensation, of a substantially uniform
film of condensate 48 of sterilizing product at least on the inner
wall 15 of the preform 12 to be sterilized; and
[0119] removing the preform provided with the film of condensate 48
from the chamber 40 and heating, by radiation, the preform 12 thus
treated in order to bring the preform 12 to a temperature T2 at or
above the activation temperature Ta of the sterilizing product, so
as to sterilize at least the inner wall 15 of the preform 12.
[0120] The temperature T2 is therefore higher than the evaporation
temperature Te of the sterilizing product, so as to bring about its
elimination by evaporation simultaneously with its thermal
activation by radiation.
[0121] The condensation temperature Tc of hydrogen peroxide is
above approximately 35.degree. C. Thus, when the preform 12 is at a
temperature substantially equal to the ambient temperature of the
plant 10, for example between 7.degree. C. and 35.degree. C., good
condensation of the vaporized sterilizing product is easily
obtained.
[0122] Moreover, verification of the temperature is then
simplified. In fact, it is not necessary to modify the temperature
of the preform 12 by heating or cooling, in order to obtain the
condensation of the sterilizing product on the inner wall 15 of the
preform.
[0123] According to an alternative embodiment (not shown) of the
plant 10, a sterile containment enclosure may be provided to make
it possible to control and preserve the sterility of the sterilized
preforms 12 and of the bottles 14 between the different units or
different stations of the plant.
[0124] By means of a plant 10 according to FIG. 1, a logarithmic
reduction of the number of germs of the order of 3D, or even Log 3
equivalent to 1000 units (103) is obtained.
[0125] In a known manner, the quantity of germs is enumerated for
example by counting after washing, filtration and culturing
operations.
[0126] It will be noted that the plant 10 has been shown with
treatment units such as the sterilizing unit 26, the forming unit
28, the filling unit 30, and the stoppering unit 32. These units
are aligned, by way of illustration, but the units may be arranged
in a different configuration, especially with rotating transport
means such as turntables.
* * * * *